Women of Modern France | Page 9

remained a good
friend to both women, thus evincing her tact. By keeping her own
personality in the background, she won the esteem of both her husband
and the king.
Brantôme leaves a picture of Catherine at this time: "She was a fine and
ample figure; very majestic, yet agreeable and very gentle when
necessary; beautiful and gracious in appearance, her face fair and her
throat white and full, very white in body likewise.... Moreover, she
dressed superbly, always having some pretty innovation. In brief, she
had beauties fitted to inspire love. She laughed readily, her disposition
was jovial, and she liked to jest." M. Saint-Amand continues: "The
artistic elegance that surrounded her whole person, the tranquil and
benevolent expression of her countenance, the good taste of her dress,
the exquisite distinction of her manners, all contributed to her charm.
And then she was so humble in the presence of her husband! She so
carefully avoided whatever might have the semblance of reproach! She
closed her eyes with such complaisance! Henry told himself that it
would be difficult to find another woman so well-disposed, another
wife so faithful to her duties, another princess so accomplished in point
of instruction and intelligence. The _ménage à trois_ (household of
three) was continued, therefore, and if the dauphin loved his mistress,
he certainly had a friendship for his wife. And, on her part, whenever
she felt an inclination to complain of her lot, Catherine bethought
herself that if she quitted her position she would probably find no
refuge but the cloister, and that--taking it all around--the court of
France (in spite of the humiliations and vexations one might experience
there) was an abode more desirable than a convent;" this, then, is the
secret of her submission. In spite of her beauty, mildness, and
distinction of manner, she could not overcome the prestige of Diana.
After nine years, Catherine was still without children and began to fear
the fate in store for her; but when she gave birth to a son in 1543, she
felt assured that divorce no longer threatened her and she resolved that

as soon as she came into power she would be revenged upon her
enemies and Diana of Poitiers. When, in 1547, her husband succeeded
his father as King of France, she did not feel that the time had yet
arrived to interfere in any social or domestic arrangements or affairs of
state; not until ten years later did she show the first sign of remarkable
statesmanship or ability as a politician.
After the battle and capture of Saint-Quentin, France was in a most
deplorable state; the enemy was believed to be beneath the walls of
Paris; everybody was fleeing; the king had gone to Compiègne to
muster a new army. Catherine was alone in Paris "and of her own free
will went to the Parliament in full state, accompanied by the cardinals,
princes, and princesses; and there, in the most impressive language, she
set forth the urgent state of affairs at the moment.... With so much
sentiment and eloquence that she touched the heart of everybody, the
queen then explained to the Parliament that the king had need of three
hundred thousand livres, twenty-five thousand to be paid every two
months; and she added that she would retire from the place of session,
so as not to interfere with the liberty of discussion; accordingly, she
retired to another room. A resolution to comply with the wishes of her
majesty was voted, and the queen, having resumed her place, received a
promise to that effect. A hundred nobles of the city offered to give at
once three thousand francs apiece. The queen thanked them in the
sweetest form of words, and thus terminated this session of
Parliament--with so much applause for her majesty and such lively
marks of satisfaction at her behavior, that no idea can be given of them.
Throughout the city, nothing was spoken of but the queen's prudence
and the happy manner in which she proceeded in this enterprise"
(Guizot). From this act dates Catherine's entrance into political
consideration.
During the reign of Francis II., Catherine de' Medici exercised no
influence at court, the king being completely under the dominion of his
wife and the Duke of Guise, who was not favorable to the
queen-mother's schemes and policies. Catherine, however, was plotting;
caring little about religion so long as it did not further her plans, she
connected herself with the Huguenots; her scheme was to bring the

Guises to destruction and to form a council of regency which, while
composed of the Huguenot leaders, was to be under her guidance. As
this plan failed, bringing ruin to many princes, she deserted the
Huguenots and allied herself with the Catholics.
She is next found attempting the assassination of the